Horses are big animals, but they have very small stomachs.  They should be fed three times a day. They love short, juicy grass and hay (which is dried grass).  Working horses are sometimes given barley, oats, maize, chaff, or bran for extra energy.

Horses are virtually helpless if their hooves aren't taken care of.  It's very easy for them to crack, which often results in lameness.  The hooves should be trimmed often and most owners put shoes on them for protection.  The kind of work the horse does and environmental conditions determine whether the hooves should be shoed.

Space is a definite necessity for keeping happy and healthy horses.  They need room to run around and stretch their legs.  Horse stalls should be at least 10 feet by 10 feet and should be cleaned often.  Too little space can result in emotional and physical problems with the animals.

Horses love being groomed. It feels good to them, and it shows your horse you love him.  It is also important for health reasons.  While you are grooming you horse you can find any cuts, bites, or other injuries which might require medical attention.

Whether you want your horse to be the best in show or just a nice pet, training is important.  Untamed horses can be dangerous and destructive.  Mildly punish, and reward often.  If you punish but don't reward, your horse will become confused and give up.

Love is the best thing you can give your horses.  Give them plenty of attention and play with them when they're not working.  Again, grooming shows you care, because in the wild, foals were groomed often by their mothers.  That's why they enjoy it so much.  They associate grooming with love.

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